As promised in last week’s post about the messy middle part of any kind of personal development, here are 5 tips for dealing with it!
How often do you set about on a journey of personal development, feeling excited and empowered in the beginning?
Yet after a few days, weeks, or months; things start to get difficult? You feel that resistance as you enter that messy middle. The gap between where you are currently and where you want to be.
Perhaps you decided to get up early and exercise or eat more salad. But now the fun has worn off and more and more, everything starts to feel like work. You want to go back to the old comfortable ways.
So you start doing little quits. You may skip a workout. Go to a party and oversleep the next day. You tell yourself you can start up again tomorrow. But these multiple small quits soon take their toll.
They lead to bigger quits until you stop altogether. But imagine if you did not quit. Where could that lead?
In this post, I will give you five tips that will help you get through that messy middle. Because once you are through the gap, it does get easier. You gain momentum and things start to feel natural.
So here are five tips for getting through the “Messy Middle”:
Tip #1) Hire a coach.
Coaching is a collaborative relationship between the coach and the client in which both work together to help the client meet their goals and get what they want.
Through discovering who the client really is, clarifying what they really want, working to create strategies and take action, the client is able to reach their goals.
The coach acts as an accountability partner, a source of encouragement, a guide, and helps the client stay the course.
Tip #2) Be patient.
Just because you and your neighbor may have started the journey together does not mean that you will reach the same milestones at the same time and finish together.
One of you may finish before the other and that is fine. As long as you do not quit, then the journey is not over.
Focus on what you are doing and the progress you are making and encourage your friend to continue on with her journey. You both can cheer each other on, without competing against one another.
Tip #3) Commit.
A quote in the Bible, Galatians 6:9, states “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” To faint means to lose courage or spirit. To become weak. I want to encourage you to commit to taking action until you reach your goal.
Many people are watching you, and seeing you win encourages them. Maybe your children are watching you. Be an example to others of what is possible.
Tip #4) Keep taking action.
Take massive action. To take massive action is to keep taking action UNTIL YOU REACH YOUR GOAL. You may do one thing and gain no traction. But then you course correct and try something else.
If you take enough action, you will eventually find something that works. Keep doing those things and eventually, you will make it.
Think about your future self.
Sit down and ask your future self who has already acquired the goal what she did to make it? You will be surprised what wisdom you gain by being still and allowing your future self to impart that wisdom. When you discover a course of action, take it, and do not stop until you have won the prize.
Tip #5) Keep your eyes on the prize.
So often when you are running a race, you may look back or around to see how other people are doing. But remember, you are not competing against them, You are competing against yourself, your own limiting beliefs, and any mindset that hinders you.
Leave the past behind and run with patience the race that is set before you. Keep your focus ahead and turn not to the left or to the right. You can truly run your race with clarity, focus, ease, and grace. I believe in you.
So I have given you five tips for getting you through the messy middle.
It may be difficult and messy, but with the proper resources available to you, including a coach, patience, commitment, massive action, and a clear focus on the ultimate goal, you will gain the skills to reach and exceed your goals! I look forward to hearing your stories of triumph!
If you are looking for a coach to help you meet your goal so you can move on to your next level of greatness, please do not hesitate to contact me or private message me for a free consultation.